After the soil freezes, the Ukrainian Defense Forces can go on a big offensive. Key fighting will likely continue into January and February. In March, a thaw will begin, significantly complicating heavy equipment's movement.

The Russian political scientist and publicist Andrey Piontkovsky expressed this opinion. According to him, the initiative is on the side of the Ukrainian army.

"There is an initiative in the Ukrainian army. There is a very weak point in the Russian defense. This is the Melitopol-Berdyansk line with the prospect of creating a huge cauldron. Here, having received the set of weapons that Zaluzhny formed (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny), the Ukrainians not only have great chances, but there is a very serious chance of realizing this offensive, which will decide the outcome of the war," Piontkovsky said.